Minor tool gloat

[wierdscience]

Stopped by a local hock shop the other day because they had a nice looking Hypertherm plasma cutter sitting in the window.Couldn't come to an agreement on price for it,but did pick up this cheapo Northern Tool metal cutting circular saw.

I have an 8" Milwaukee at work,but for the price of this one I figured I would take a chance on it and have one for home use.It was basically brand new in the case with a couple extra blades.From the looks of it the previous owner made the mistake of trying to cut Aluminum with a Steel cutting blade as the blade on the saw was completely loaded with Aluminum.Instructions say to not ever Cut Aluminum with a Steel cutting blade,but I guess he didn't read them LOL.

Cut a few pieces of 3/8 plate with no problems,then cut some 2" bar grating.Worked very well for being a cheap saw,took my time and let the saw do all the work.Cut took about a minute and a half.Blade on this one is only 7-1/4" and didn't quite make it through the 2" thickness,but the tabs left were easy to just break off.Not bad for $60 out the door

[Glug]

We all know that abrasive saws are noisy, messy, and what not, but it looks like a pretty good way to cut that bar grating.

[wierdscience]

We all know that abrasive saws are noisy, messy, and what not, but it looks like a pretty good way to cut that bar grating.

Except this isn't an abrasive saw,it's a toothed 0* rake carbide blade.

[duckman]

I have the same saw , and it's saved my butt a couple of times, just don't force it let it cut, found out the hard way push to hard and ruin the blade.

[CCWKen]

Sixty bucks is a good price for that saw. I was up at NT a couple of weeks ago with my $20 off coupon in hand to get one of those. Got to the counter and the clerk said the coupon expired. It said 6/28 when I thought it said 8/28. Bummer. I didn't want to pay the $150 and they wouldn't negotiate like HF will sometimes. I walked out. Just as well. I'm saving for a plasma cutter too.

[Glug]

Except this isn't an abrasive saw,it's a toothed 0* rake carbide blade.

So it's quiet, clean and what not?

[wierdscience]

So it's quiet, clean and what not?

Well,no,it's loud,obnoxious and leaves a fair amount of crunchy looking blue chips laying around,but it cuts grating like a dream and I love it

I cut a fair amount of 1" grating in the course of a year and the amount of time and money I save on the much less after action grinding more than pays for the saw.I wish they had came out with these 20 years earlier

[wierdscience]

Sixty bucks is a good price for that saw. I was up at NT a couple of weeks ago with my $20 off coupon in hand to get one of those. Got to the counter and the clerk said the coupon expired. It said 6/28 when I thought it said 8/28. Bummer. I didn't want to pay the $150 and they wouldn't negotiate like HF will sometimes. I walked out. Just as well. I'm saving for a plasma cutter too.

I've had that happen before,I stay busy enough,that I'll clip a coupon and save it,then not have time to get by the place until it's expired.

I've given up on finding a used plasma,around here they want nearly new price,so I may as well just pony up and buy a new one with a warranty.

[wierdscience]

I have the same saw , and it's saved my butt a couple of times, just don't force it let it cut, found out the hard way push to hard and ruin the blade.

Definately let it do the work.One thing I did do to this one when I got it was go over all the gearbox and cover screws with Loctite thread locker.Some of the screws were loose and starting to back out.